1 O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

2 R emember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed— This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

3 L ift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations. The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary.

4 Y our enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; They set up their banners for signs.

5 T hey seem like men who lift up Axes among the thick trees.

6 A nd now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers.

7 T hey have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.

8 T hey said in their hearts, “Let us destroy them altogether.” They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.

9 W e do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet; Nor is there any among us who knows how long.

10 O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?

11 W hy do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.

12 F or God is my King from of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

13 Y ou divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.

14 Y ou broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

15 Y ou broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up mighty rivers.

16 T he day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun.

17 Y ou have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter.

18 R emember this, that the enemy has reproached, O Lord, And that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name.

19 O h, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast! Do not forget the life of Your poor forever.

20 H ave respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.

21 O h, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name.

22 A rise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.

23 D o not forget the voice of Your enemies; The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.